Google Partners with EarthLink to Build Free Wi-Fi Network in San Francisco
Google is teaming up with EarthLink to create a wireless Wi-Fi network in San Francisco, allowing residents of the city to access the Internet for free. For those who wish to enjoy high-speed browsing, they will only need to pay a fee of $20 per month.
 |
| Source: BBC |
This marks the first time Google has publicly acknowledged that it needs assistance in its plan to provide free Wi-Fi throughout San Francisco, where the hilly terrain poses significant challenges for continuous and seamless Internet connectivity.
In the past, Google—the leading Internet search engine—and EarthLink, a top Internet service provider, have often been in competition with one another. However, it now appears that both parties have come to realize that collaborating is more beneficial.
According to the partnership agreement, EarthLink will be the main contractor for this $15 million project, which includes the construction and maintenance of the Wi-Fi network in San Francisco over a period of 10 years. EarthLink will be able to recoup part of its investment by charging $20 per month for those wanting access to high-speed Internet (which is up to 20 times faster than a standard dial-up connection). In contrast, Google’s free Wi-Fi network will be approximately 5-6 times faster than a dial-up connection.
The joint bid from Google and EarthLink will compete against five other bidders, the most notable of which is SF Metro Connect, a joint venture between SeaKay, Cisco Systems, and IBM. The San Francisco government hopes to select a contractor by April, paving the way for the launch of the citywide Wi-Fi network later this year.
Other major cities in the U.S., such as Chicago and Minneapolis, are also collaborating with the private sector to build Wi-Fi networks, but San Francisco’s project has garnered the most attention, as Google has announced plans to cover the entire 46.5 square mile city with free Internet.
If San Francisco selects Google and EarthLink, it would become the largest city in the U.S. to offer free Wi-Fi as a public service.
Google’s particular interest in the San Francisco project has led many to speculate that the search giant is aiming to provide free Wi-Fi access across the entire United States in the near future. This would allow residents to access Google’s search tools more frequently, directly correlating with the revenue Google receives from advertising.
For its part, Google seemingly has little to lose in the bidding process in San Francisco. The entire cost of providing free Wi-Fi access will be funded through advertising. Furthermore, Google’s local search services—such as finding restaurants, hotels, gas stations, supermarkets, and navigation—will have the opportunity to flourish thanks to this extensive Wi-Fi network.
Thiên Ý
